SEVERAL new businesses have recently opened up in Newcastle Emlyn.

Patricia’s Tea Room, at Emlyn Square, Vintique at Sycamore Street, The Soap Shack Emporium at Sycamore Street and medical herbalist Paula McCreary at the Clock Tower at Cawdor Hall have all opened their doors in the past weeks.

For mother and daughter combination Lorraine Wilson and Gemma Eastham, Patricia’s Team Room -named after Lorraine’s late mum - is very much a family affair.

“We moved here a couple of years ago with four generations of the family after coming to the area for many years on holiday,” said Lorraine.

“We decided we needed a fresh start in our lives and where better to come. We have not looked back since. I worked in the cake shop that closed back in July and that was the push we needed to open up the tea room.

“All the cakes are home-made and the support we have had has been absolutely phenomenal.”

A few doors down the street is Vintique, the brainchild of Debbie Whitehead, which sells rustic antiques and vintage ware.

The business was previously based in a unit at the Antique Centre on New Road and Debbie said: “This shop came up for rent and we fell in love with it and decided to give it a go.

“We have been going for about five years but before that I worked in various shops. It’s exciting to open here and the bare stone walls complement the things we sell and give a nice feel to the shop.

“We have had great support since we opened and can’t thank people enough.”

In the middle of town is The Soap Shack Emporium with husband and wife team Gareth and Candy Goodman.

They opened their doors on November 1 – only six weeks after deciding to set up shop.

“We started out with just six soaps but have branched out from there, with soaps, bath bombs candles and the like,” said Candy. “Every time we drove past the empty shop we looked in and then thought we would just give it a go.

“Other local crafts can rent shelf space of us and it’s incredible how talented the people are in this area. It helps us out and also helped other businesses to get an outlet.

“We like to think we have a good variety of stock at an affordable price, with something for everyone.”

Completing the quartet of new businesses is medical herbalist Paula McCreary, who recently held an open day to launch her new venture at the Clock Tower.

Medical herbalists make use of plants whose traditional uses are backed up by modern scientific research and clinical trials and take a holistic approach to illness, treating the underlying cause of disease rather than just symptoms.

Paula said: “After all these years of working with herbs and finally finishing my degree in herbal medicine, it is so exciting to finally be opening my own practice.

“It’s great to feel part of the community and I hope in future to run workshops and take people out foraging for herbs.”

“I would like to say a huge thanks to all who have supported me to get to this point. It was lovely to meet so many people at the opening of the clinic, where people drank herbal teas, tried cough syrups and made the day so special.”

Paula can be contacted for consultations on 07971 737667 or visit paulamccrearyherbalist.com